In the midst of national protests over police-involved shootings, Brandon police are adding alternative weapons to officers' belts.

Chief William Thompson said he had already looked into getting stun guns before the incidents in Missouri and New York. Thompson said the weapons give officers a better option in dealing with difficult suspects.

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Thompson was the first to test what it feels like to be shot with a stun gun. Other patrol officers took their hit as well.

Thompson admitted that there has been some criticism that stun guns are dangerous, which is part of the reason why officers have to get stunned themselves before they use one.

"I am not saying they are 100 percent safe," Thompson said. "Yes, there are instances where it will hurt somebody -- somebody with a heart condition or a medical problem we don't know about. We know that. But when the time comes to use something like this, what else can we do? It's still a better option than shooting them," Thompson said.

The Brandon Police Department bought five stun guns. Thompson hopes eventually to have one for each of the department's 25 patrol officers. Right now, each patrol shift has at least one, along with pepper spray.